When some people move, they end up looking for homes that are relatively close by. They may relocate to a nearby town, or they may end up moving to a different house a few blocks away. People like to be in familiar surroundings, but there are some that thrive on change and new experiences. Moving to a new state may be the change of scenery you need to make your next move a success, and if you're like many other Americans in the country, you may want to consider moving to Charleston or other areas in the great state of South Carolina.

An annual migration study conducted by United Van Lines showed that a lot of people moved to North and South Carolina in 2013. We could go on for days about why people choose to move to the Carolinas, but if you want to relocate, you can't just move because you have a good feeling about a new place. Life is always a bit different after a move, but living in a new state is going to require a lot of change. Before you start looking for homes for sale in Charleston SC, or another other state, make sure you ask yourself these questions:

How much do I really know about the state I want to move to?

Maybe you want to relocate to a certain state after spending a vacation there and falling in love with the area. Maybe you've read about the new state being the hottest place to move. It can be really easy to fall in love with an area when you're on a vacation or reading about it online, but actually living there can be an entirely different matter. Do you know about laws in the state that you're planning on living in? Have you mapped out what your daily work commute will look like? Will your kids be enrolled in a good school system? If all you can say about a state is that it's beautiful or that there is a lot to do, you aren't as ready to move as you may think that you are.

How will my financial situation change?

Let's say that you're lucky enough to not only find a home in your new state, but that you're also able to find a job that gives you exact same salary and benefits. It may seem like the move won't affect your bank account much, but a certain amount of money can only go so far in some areas. The cost of living can significantly affect your budget, and you may find that the tax situation in your new state is taking more out of your paycheck. Moving to a new state doesn't automatically mean that you'll end up having to spend more money, but even having a little extra cash can affect your budget.

How will I handle the moving process?

If you've only moved around to different local towns, you may have gotten away with renting a small truck for one day to handle moving your big items. You may have taken a day off of work to do some cleaning, but you were probably able to do everything in a short amount of time. If you're moving to a different state, you should expect the process to be a lot longer and a bit more complicated. You may have to hire professional movers to handle the majority of the work so that you can spend time cleaning your old place and packing. 

If you're looking for homes in Charleston, you have a lot of options available to you. You could easily find a nice condo in the downtown district, or you can find a reasonably priced family home in almost every neighborhood. People have their own reasons for looking for Charleston real estate, but some aren't moving to the city because they want to be closer to their job or to the downtown area. 

Charleston has been a prominent city for centuries and, as the years passed, more and more homes have been built. The city is full of historic homes for sale, and people that have always wanted to own a small part of history come to Charleston determined to find one of their own. Owning a historic home can seem very appealing, but before you commit to it, there are a few things you should know:

Limited exterior work

If you fall in love with a historic home, you should find one that you love "as is." Some people don't mind sprucing up a home with a new coat of paint and few new windows, but if you own a historic home, your improvement projects may be severely limited. The goal of every historic district is to preserve the character and look of a neighborhood, and the majority of them do this by having rules about how the exterior of the house looks. Depending on what neighborhood you live in, you may not be able to make any changes without getting approval from a committee.

Major inside repair work

You may not be able to paint your house a different color, but you may have to do some electrical or plumbing work to make the house habitable. This is one of the trade-offs of owning a historical home. Some homeowners have to pay a couple thousand dollars to have their homes re-wired for electricity because they current set up was dangerous. Others have had to install HVAC systems to make the homes more comfortable in Charleston's sweltering summers. 

Checking for dangerous chemicals

Today's builders wouldn't dream of insulating a house with asbestos or painting rooms with lead paint, but the home builders of the past wouldn't have given it a second thought. If you're looking into buying a historic home, you should have your home inspected for any potential dangerous building materials (especially if you have children or elderly tenants). Remember, it's possible to get these things removed, but it could cost extra money.

Potential tax breaks

There is a big difference between owning a home in a historic district and owning a home that is registered as a historic place. Local municipalities, state, and even federal authorities all have historic registries, and if your home happens to be on one, you could qualify for some property tax breaks from the state. 

At Carolina One, we deal with people that are looking for different things in the real estate they're interested in. Some are looking for family homes, and others are looking for vacation houses. We have people that are interesting in buying historic homes and others that want the newest structures possible. But despite the differences, there are some mistakes we see across the board. If you're looking for Charleston, SC real estate, try to avoid making some of these common home buying mistakes.

Listening to advice from non-locals

"My father has sold real estate in Virginia for 20 years, and he says that paying any more than _____ for a home is a rip off."

"My friend just bought a home in Columbia, and they only had to pay _____."

We hear variations of these phrases constantly during the home buying process, but a lot of the advice you get from well-meaning, non-local friends and family isn't applicable to the real estate you're looking at. Markets can vary drastically within the state, but the differences in price and expectations in out-of-state areas are staggering. Even people you know that have homes in Charleston might have paid very different prices, since there are a lot of different factors. When you're buying in Charleston, the only advice you should be listening to is from an experienced realtor.

Shopping before you get pre-approved

There is nothing worse than talking to a client that has a dream home in mind, and then seeing them crushed when they realize that they over-estimated the amount they would be approved for at the bank. Falling in love with a property you can't afford isn't just emotionally draining – it can also persuade you to try to take a big financial gamble on a house that isn't practical because you've already decided that it's the home that you want. Wait until you know what you're getting from the bank before you set your heart on a home, and while we're on that topic, we should talk about…

Going for the most expensive home you "can afford"

Your bank may have approved you for a half-million dollar mortgage, but that doesn't mean that you should get a home that requires the maximum amount. We don't have to tell you that banks can be very irresponsible when it comes to lending and mortgages, but too many people believe that if their bank approves something, they have to take it. Before you even talk to someone in the mortgage department, sit down and take an honest look at your financial situation. Base what you can afford off of what you're making now, and not what you hope to be making in a few years. That mistake is what gets people in over their heads on home costs. If you can't afford the mortgage now, then don't gamble on it.

At Carolina One, we spend a lot of time talking about the beauty of the property that we help our customers to find in the best part of the Palmetto State. When people think of beautiful places to live in South Carolina, most immediately think of the great city of Charleston. Charleston is famous for its beauty and history, but there is a lot more to be found in the area. Mount Pleasant, SC is just as beautiful as Charleston, and the town that used to be one of the state's best-kept secrets has become one of its most rapidly expanding areas. Charleston may have its share of historic sites, but the history of this town may surprise even some of its current residents. If you're looking to live in an area that is loaded with history, Mount Pleasant, SC real estate may be exactly what you're looking for.

Before settlers arrived in the late 17^th century, the area was occupied by Sewee Indians. The first settlers from England arrived during the summer, under the leadership of Captain Florentia O' Sullivan. The land he settled became the Village of Mount Pleasant and, on the earliest maps of the town, it was called "Old Woman's Point" and "North Point." In 1706, the Province of Carolina dealt with attacks from both the Spanish and the French. The area between Shem Creek and the Wando River was famous for its deep water and good timber, so it soon became an important part of the area's industry.

When British forces were determined to take Charleston during the Revolutionary War, countless brave citizens of Mount Pleasant fought successfully to defend it. During the Civil War Era, the first meeting to determine secession resolution for the state of South Carolina was held in Mount Pleasant at the Ronkins Long Room. Like much of the south after the war, the area had a long and hard road of recovery ahead of it, but parts of Mount Pleasant did very well. The African-American population of the area flourished after the Civil War, and it became known for being one of the first African-American communities to be formed in Charleston. 

Robert Scanlon was a former slave and freedman carpenter and, after purchasing the property that was formally known as Remley's Plantation, he became the president and founder of the Charleston Land Company. One-hundred African-American men joined together to divide up the land, and the area became known as Scanlonville. Scanlonville and the Charleston Land Company became one of the only four known cooperative business ventures among freed African-Americans after the Civil War. During the 1930s, Mount Pleasant's very own Riverside Pavilion became one of the only places African-American Charleston residents could see black performers. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, and other jazz legends frequented the region. The area has seen a lot of changes since its founding centuries ago, and the recent population growth is a sign that Mount Pleasant, SC isn't done creating history just yet.

Are you close to reaching the point in your life where you don't have to work anymore and can retire? Congratulations! After all those years of effort, you deserve the opportunity to relax and enjoy your time off. Many people look forward to retirement, but hate to see all their hard earned money and savings disappear. South Carolina real estate is very affordable, which will leave you with plenty of money to enjoy during your golden years. Folly Beach is the perfect place to consider for your retirement years for the following reasons.

• Life's a Beach – Folly Beach is known to locals as "the Edge of America" and is a gorgeous town. There are numerous surf spots here, and they have become some of the most popular on the East Coast. Go fishing, hiking, and biking or just spend some time looking for the unique Lettered Olive seashells that dot the coastline. Living near the beach is a great way to entice your grandkids to visit, as well.

• Great Climate – When people retire, they often want to go somewhere with warmer temperatures.  South Carolina has fabulous weather and people love its humid, subtropical climate. Another great thing about this part of the country is that winters are short, while the summers are long and balmy. And if there's ever a day that seems too hot, you're only steps from the beach. Taking a dip in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean is a great way to cool off.

• Proximity to History – Folly Beach is an ideal place for retirement because, while the town itself is quaint and quiet, you are very close to Charleston. Charleston is the oldest city in the state and is filled with tons of historical attractions. History buffs will love visiting spots like Fort Sumter, the Charleston Museum (the oldest museum in the country), and the many plantations nearby. In addition, the city is known for its eclectic mix of low country foods, which include southern, French, and Caribbean.

If you're looking to retire in an affordable beach town, with great weather and proximity to historical attractions, Folly Beach is the place for you. Get in touch with realtors that specialize in South Carolina real estate and start searching for your retirement dream home today. 

Those who are considering the purchase of a fixer upper in South Carolina are making a smart choice, if they do things properly. Purchasing a fixer upper can save you a lot of money, teach you a lot during the renovation process, and allow you to personalize the home. But what should you look for when buying a property that's going to need some TLC? Read on for advice that will help you make an educated and appropriate decision for your life . . . and avoid any money pits.

Calculate Cost of Repairs

Before making an offer on a home, you'll need to calculate the cost of repairs. Find a good home inspector in the area and have them look at the house to determine what needs to be repaired, and how much that would cost to do properly. When they walk through, go with them so that they can explain things along the way.

If the house in question is an older home, make sure that the inspector that you choose has adequate experience with and knowledge of structures in that age range. A person who only specializes in modern constructions may be inclined to think that everything in an old home needs repair. Also, have the contractor that you've selected walk through the home so that they can create a written cost estimate for the work they intend to do. If planning on doing the majority of the work yourself, you should calculate the cost of supplies that are needed to complete the project.

Always factor in an extra twenty percent for additional repairs, as unexpected problems have a tendency to pop up in old homes.   

Up for the Challenge?

You'll need to decide what you can do yourself and what needs to be handed over to professionals. Improvements such as painting and wallpaper removal are simple enough to handle, but other things like electrical work and plumbing may be over your head; these issues need to be considered before purchasing the home.

Do You Have the Time?

Also, you need to seriously consider whether or not you have the time to do the job. Are you in a position where you can take time off of work to fix the house up? If not, do you and your family mind living in a space that is being renovated for an extended period of time, since you can only work on the home on weekends? Lots to consider here.

Purchasing South Carolina real estate can be an exciting and fun process, but you'll need to make sure that the fixer upper you choose is worth your while. With the right purchase, your hard work will pay off and you can turn the lackluster house that you bought into a lifelong home. 

Charleston real estate is an attractive choice for an increasing number of people, especially first-time homebuyers. Many people boast that Charleston is the "jewel of the South," but if you've never visited this southern city, you may be wondering why people are jumping at the chance to live here. Below are just some of the reasons why Charleston is the place to search for a home.

• Affordable Prices – The housing crash is a thing of the past and there is once again stability in the real estate market. Further, mortgage rates are still considerably low, which makes your overall purchase price even more affordable. The median price for a three bedroom, two-bath home in Charleston last year was just over $200,000. Obtaining a mortgage for this amount and putting 20K down makes a mortgage payment of $1,200 affordable for many singles and families.

• Cozy City with Character – Once you've visited Charleston, you will agree that it is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The area is famous for historical attractions like Fort Sumter and Drayton Hall, as well as its year-round perfect weather. People who visit Charleston talk at length about the gorgeous homes, friendly people, and delicious low country cuisine (featuring everything from staple soul food like fried okra and collard greens to Cajun classics like gumbo, southern favorites like shrimp and grits, and French coq au vin). This city is so wonderful that it is constantly featured on television shows and in travel magazines, and has dominated the "best cities" lists for the past several years.

• Wise Investment – One look at Charleston real estate and you're sure to realize that these low prices aren't going to stick around forever. Homebuyers snatching up properties in Charleston are certain to see their home values rise quickly over the next several years. With Charleston getting so much nationwide attention, choosing this city as home is a very wise investment.

These are just a few of the reasons that Charleston homes are in demand and the city continues to dominate "best cities" lists. Charleston is the perfect place for any and everybody and, as more and more people catch on to that, home prices will begin so rise. It's important to move quickly so you don't miss out on living in this special place!

Ask anyone who has ever visited South Carolina and they will tell you what a remarkable state it is. People fall in love with this state because of its southern charm, long and varied history, and perfect climate. South Carolina has many great cities to consider relocating to, but below are the top places to call home. Check out Charleston, Columbia, Goose Creek, and Isle of Palms real estate to find your next home sweet home.

• Charleston – Charleston is famous for its rich history and beautiful architecture. While people visit for the weather and sightseeing, they stay for the incomparable shopping, restaurants, and friendly people. This is such a great place that it has ranked time and time again as a top United States city by Condé Nast Traveler. Check out one of the many plantations in the area, dine on shrimp and grits at a local eatery, or check out the spectacular views of the bay from the Battery. You'll fall in love with everything from the neoclassical columns to the palmettos.

• Columbia – The capital of South Carolina, the city houses the University of SC, the largest University in the state. This city is also known as the business hub of the state, as a large number of companies call it and its environs home. The city also has an interesting history, having been the place of the state's official succession from the Union during the Civil War. A great deal of the city was burned down by Sherman during the conflict.

• Goose Creek – If you are relocating to South Carolina with a family, then you should check out Goose Creek. This town is well known for their great schools, gorgeous landscapes, and family-friendly vibe. Goose Creek is also great for those who love the outdoors, since it features many biking and hiking trails.

• Isle of Palms – If you are looking for property that is some of the most beautiful and exclusive in all of South Carolina, then Isle of Palms is for you. This lovely beach community is located only 20 miles from historic Charleston, and offers famous sports clubs, hiking and biking, a public park, and pristine seclusion formed by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic. If you do choose to relocate here, remember to invest in a home with at least one guest room -- you know people are going to be visiting you in this seaside haven. 

If you are looking for the perfect place to explore and relax, South Carolina is for you. The state is one of the few in the nation that hasn't been negatively hit by the economy and, as a result, there are many jobs and beautiful homes for the taking. After thinking about what you're looking for, decide what area interests you the most and look into Charleston, Columbia, Goose Creek, or Isle of Palms real estate. All of these towns have something for everyone and you will be able to relocate easily.

The cold winter months may still be upon us, but many people are even now deciding where to spend their summer vacations. But if you're like many others, you probably get tired of the yearly task of finding a place to spend your vacation, booking dates and paying a significant amount of money just to stay somewhere for a limited amount of time. Instead, why not save yourself the hassle and buy a vacation home?

Owning a vacation home can be a rewarding experience—both personally and financially: a vacation home is a great way to help boost your finances, as you can rent it out and make a profit when it's not in use; it's a great getaway spot at any time of the year; it can even be the place that you eventually retire to.

Ranked as one of the best family summer vacation spots, Charleston, SC and its nearby beach towns are an ideal location for people that are looking for a summer home. Understandably, buying real estate in South Carolina, or anywhere for that matter, is a huge financial commitment and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.

If you're looking to buy a vacation home or are considering it, here are some pointers to keep in mind. 

1. Don't just pick the location, get to know it

Before you make an offer on a home, you should really get to know the area. Visit it several times to explore the neighborhoods, amenities and nearby shops, restaurants and activities. You'll want to know what the area has to offer during the summer, as well as the off season.

2. Does the property have rental potential?

Often, homeowners rent out their vacation properties to get some extra income. Since beaches are some of the most desirable locations, Charleston and its surrounding environs are the perfect option. If you decide to rent out your property, make sure that it includes amenities that renters expect, such as cable, Internet, dishwasher, and maybe even a pet-friendly designation, to name a few. Having these increases your chances of being able to rent the place out.

3. Add up all the costs

Mortgage rates can be higher for second homes and you may also asked for a larger down payment. Speak to a real estate professional to determine these costs. Also, if you'll be counting on rental income to help pay for the mortgage, make sure to ask renters to pay a price that's fair for them, but still benefits you.

4. Don't rush into making an offer

Like purchasing your first house, choosing a vacation home is a big decision and you shouldn't rush into making an offer. You want to be confident that the home not only meets your criteria now, but will later down the line. It's in your best interest to speak to a real estate professional to help you make a smart decision.

When people look for homes for sale in Charleston, SC they may be looking for a variety of things. Some people want a home with a spacious backyard, and other people want a house that's close to Charleston Harbor. Some people want to find a home in a historic district, and others want to find the most modern home possible. It's important to think about what features you want your dream home to have, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a very small aspect of what you should be looking for in a home. Whether you want a posh vacation home or a new house for a growing family, you'll be very happy with your choice if you make sure to look for these three important things.

Good structure

Good structure should be the goal for every homebuyer. Buying a home with major structural damage will end up costing you a lot of money in repairs, and can make it significantly more difficult to sell if you want to move. Never buy a home that has issues with the foundation. When touring the home, look for large cracks along the foundation outside and on the walls of the basement. Do a very thorough check for mold and water damage. Sometimes, people can see a few spots of mold on the walls, and then open them up to discover a significant amount of rot. Make sure that you find a trustworthy inspector to ensure that you're getting a home that is in good condition. 

Good plumbing

Plumbing problems are usually something people don't think about until they already have them – and buying a home that has plumbing problems is almost a guarantee that you will be spending a lot of money in the future. Plumbing issues aren't just bad news for your sinks, drains, and pipes; leaking water could cause mold that can lead to even more structural problems and health concerns. Take note of any leaking faucets you notice, and see how long it takes sinks and tubs to drain. 

Easy to improve internal aesthetics

Some people pass up perfectly good homes because the interior décor isn't to their liking. Don't just look for a home that already fits your aesthetic tastes; you'll be much better off if you buy a home that can be improved with easy and inexpensive DIY and decorating work. If you see a home that could be improved with a simple coat of paint or refinished hardwood floors, you should go for it. You also don't have to worry if your home doesn't have an ideal AC system or energy efficient appliances. You can easily pick those up without having to overspend.